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"We applaud Trust for America's Health for issuing this report andbringing attention to the power of prevention," said Christopher Fey, CEO andChairman of U.S. Preventive Medicine. "The report confirms what many inhealthcare have known for a long time -- that we will save money -- but thecost savings are actually higher."
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Since the savings estimates in the report only represent medical costsavings and focused on disease prevention programs that target communities orat-risk segments of communities, the actual numbers are higher when otherthings, such as productivity and enhanced quality of life, are taken intoaccount, said Fey.
"To get a better appreciation of the cost savings from prevention, theMilken Institute study from last year puts things into perspective very well,"said Fey.
According to the 2007 Milken Institute report, An Unhealthy America: TheEconomic Burden of Chronic Disease, the implementation of a national effortfocused on prevention, early detection and chronic disease management couldsave the country hundreds of billions annually, with savings surpassing atrillion dollars annually in about 15 years.
Seven chronic diseases alone -- cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke,heart disease, lung conditions and mental illness -- have a total impact onthe economy of $1.3 trillion annually according to the Milken report. Of thisamount, $1.1 trillion represents the cost of lost productivity. The reportfurther estimates that the annual economic impact on the U.S. economy of themost common chronic diseases will balloon to nearly $6 trillion by the middleof the century.
"Six trillion is a very large number. If the savings from lostproductivity can be $1.1 trillion right now, it's not hard to figure out howessential preventing these diseases will be for our future. Unfortunately,America is losing its competitive edge in the business world due to the heavyhealthcare burden faced by employers. We are outsourcing too many jobs as aresult and if we don't ensure the health of our citizens, we may very wellfall far behind," said Fey.
"If we are to avert the looming healthcare crisis we must deploy anational effort aimed at prevention, early detection and chronic diseasemanagement...the time is now. Senator Harkin in his analysis has correctlyindicated that if we work on prevention now, the return on investment can beimmediate and that these savings will only increase over time," said Fey.
"It is important to realize that for us to be successful, we need tocreate a nationwide culture of prevention," said Fey. "We have taken up thischallenge at U.S. Preventive Medicine and are working everyday to ensure notonly cost savings for the country, but also good health for the hard workingAmericans. Making sure that we are healthy and productive is the biggestinvestment we can make for our collective future."
About U.S. Preventive Medicine(R):
U.S. Preventive Medicine(R), a privately owned health management companywith clients in 23 states and two countries, is focused entirely onprevention. The Company offers employers, government agencies and consumersproprietary products that improve health and productivity while reducinghealthcare costs. Company products include: The Prevention Plan(TM), agroundbreaking personalized health and wellness program delivered online andtelephonically; The Prevention Plan CM(TM), community-based chronic diseasemanagement programs customized for employers and government agencies to reducehealthcare costs; as well
